NOTES PREPARED BY
ASHAQ HUSSAIN BHAT
TEACHER SCHOOL
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Class: 8th – 6 (MERCY)
SUMMARY
The sonnet "Mercy" was composed by Shakespeare. According to the poet, mercy is a quality that all people possess from birth, but few people really want to live by it since all we can do is ask for mercy from those in positions of power. Mercy is like rain, which cools the ground after the intense heat and falls from the sky to replenish its water reserves. Mercy is a gift from God. It's a two-fold benefit since it makes both the giver and the recipient happy. Even the mightiest monarchs cannot match the power of mercy. Mercy is preferable to the king's crown since the latter can only grant him temporary power. He might pose a hazard to those who are the strongest monarchs. Mercy is preferable to the king's crown since the latter can only grant him temporary power. Even if he can intimidate those who are extremely timid, he will never be admired. Everyone thinks that mercy is highly important. A true ruler is merciful, treating his subjects generously and equally without making them work hard. Mercy is like a drizzle after a sweltering heat wave that quenches the earth's thirst. In the same vein, mercy mends broken hearts and eases aching nerves. God has the attribute of mercy. Any earthly power can seem like God when justice and mercy are combined.
Thinking about the Poem
1. Where does the quality of mercy come from? Who are blessed by it?
Ans. Being merciful comes naturally. It is a wonderful attribute that makes both the giver and the recipient happy.
2. How according to the poet is mercy better than the crown of the mightiest (the king)?
Ans.The poet claims that mercy wins us the respect and affection of those around us, which makes it superior than the crown of the mightiest.
3. What does sceptre stand for? How does it affect the kings?
Ans.Sceptre is a symbol of power. It has an impact on the monarchs since they frequently abuse their authority.
4. When does earthly power look like God’s?
Ans.When earthly power is paired with justice, it resembles that of God.
5. How is mercy alone the “sceptered sway”?
Ans. Mercy alone is the sceptered sway because it allows one to persuade others to work in the manner of one's choice without ever making them feel forced.
6. What happens when mercy seasons justice?
Ans.It seems to be a characteristic of God.
Language Work
a) “It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven” Mercy has been compared to gentle rain using the word “as”. A comparison using the words ‘as’ and ‘like’ are called similes. However, comparisons not using these words are called metaphors. Find out the similes and/or metaphors in the poem.
Ans. The similes are: As the gentle rain from heaven; power doth then show like God’s.
The Metaphors are: becomes the throned monarch; sceptre shows the force of temporal power.
b) The poet in the second line of the poem has used the word ‘droppeth’ which in poetical language means ‘to drop’. Find out the similar words in poem and also write their meanings as used in the poem.
Ans.
Blesseth – blessed Doth – does
Let’s Write
Write a paragraph (100-150 words) on ‘Being merciful means being wealthy’ (Open ended) Do it yourself.
Ans. Being merciful is often misunderstood as a mere act of kindness or compassion towards others. However, it goes beyond just being kind or generous. Being merciful is a state of mind that enriches one's soul and makes them wealthy in ways that money cannot buy.
Firstly, being merciful requires forgiveness. Forgiving someone who has wronged us is not easy, but it is a powerful act of mercy. It frees us from the burden of anger and resentment, and allows us to move forward with peace and clarity. Forgiveness also helps us to let go of grudges and bitterness, which can weigh heavily on our hearts and minds.
Secondly, being merciful involves showing empathy and understanding towards others. This means putting ourselves in someone else's shoes and trying to see things from their perspective. It requires us to listen actively, to be patient, and to offer support and encouragement when needed. Empathy helps us to connect with others on a deeper level, and fosters a sense of compassion and kindness that is truly priceless.
Thirdly, being merciful involves practicing patience and tolerance. This means accepting others for who they are, flaws and all, and not judging them harshly for their mistakes or shortcomings. Patience allows us to remain calm in difficult situations, and to respond with kindness rather than anger or frustration. Tolerance helps us to respect differences of opinion and belief, and to avoid intolerance or prejudice.
Fourthly, being merciful involves practicing humility. This means recognizing our own limitations and weaknesses, and acknowledging that we are not perfect. Humility allows us to learn from our mistakes, to accept criticism gracefully, and to seek out opportunities for growth and improvement. It also helps us to avoid arrogance or pride, which can be destructive both to ourselves and to others around us.
Fifthly, being merciful involves practicing generosity. This means giving of ourselves freely and without expectation of reward or recognition. Generosity can take many forms - it might be giving our time or our resources to help others in need, or simply offering a kind word or a listening ear when someone is struggling. Generosity helps us to build strong relationships with others, and fosters a sense of community and connection that is truly valuable.
Sixthly, being merciful involves practicing self-reflection and introspection. This means taking the time to reflect on our own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, in order to understand ourselves better. Self-reflection allows us to identify areas where we need to grow or improve, as well as areas where we are doing well. It also helps us to avoid becoming too self-absorbed or self-centered , which can be a barrier to true mercy and compassion towards others.
Finally, being merciful involves practicing gratitude and appreciation for the blessings in our lives. This means recognizing the good things that we have been given - whether they are material possessions or intangible blessings such as health or happiness - and expressing gratitude for them. Gratitude helps us to stay grounded in the present moment, rather than becoming too focused on what we lack or what we want. It also helps us to cultivate a sense of contentment and satisfaction with our lives, which is truly priceless.
In conclusion, being merciful is about more than just being kind or compassionate towards others - it is about cultivating a state of mind that enriches our souls in ways that money cannot buy. Being merciful requires forgiveness, empathy, patience, tolerance, humility, generosity, self-reflection, and gratitude - all qualities that are truly priceless in their own right. By cultivating these qualities within ourselves, we can become truly wealthy in ways that go far beyond material possessions or financial success - we can become rich in spirit, rich in heart, rich in soul.
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